Three words no guy who is no doubt already horribly aware of his height (or lack thereof) wants to hear.
For so long in the dating world the view from 6 foot and over was the only one that mattered. If your dating app profile didn’t display this clearly then the chance of a match was limited to say the least. The dating apps we uni students are all too familiar with are a perfect example of this. Take Tinder, for example. When ticking all the boxes to indicate what your ideal ‘type’ is, I can guarantee the majority of us put ‘tall’ or ‘over 6 foot’ as something we desire.
But why is height so important to the vast majority of us these days? Why is it that it often trumps other, arguably much more meaningful, attributes such as personality?
Even shorter women don’t seem to want to give their male match (height wise anyway) a shot, preferring men who tower above them. Maybe a means of feeling safer? Maybe simply a means of conforming to the heteronormative status quo? Whatever it is, it has seen shorter men cast aside in the dating scene.
In addition to this, just take a look at the films we’re exposed to from a young age. The vast majority of our favourite rom-coms star a hunky, towering male love interest, surely making it no surprise that we naturally favour this type of physique.
However, don’t fear my petite princes. More recent studies, such as one conducted by New York University, actually conclude that shorter men may make better romantic partners. Such pros include lesser divorce rates, more help around the house and even more sex! Which I’m sure we can all admit seems a fairly acceptable way of making up for lack of height.
Even I can admit that it is difficult not to get hung up on these stereotypes, and I too am guilty of swiping right for the promise of an exceptionally tall gent on the other side of the phone.
However, clearly it is time to put these stereotypes and preconceived notions aside, and instead come to accept the reality that short kings deserve our love and attention just as much.
